NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- PSE&G is
reminding customers there is help to pay their winter heating
bills. Those who recently lost their jobs, or are now working fewer
hours because of the economic downturn, may now qualify for
assistance programs.
The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
has allocated $175 million to
New Jersey to help low income
households pay their winter heating bills. Individuals and families
may now apply; applications will be accepted until April 30, 2011. Those who received LIHEAP
benefits last year are urged to complete the recertification
application to ensure they receive benefits this year as well.
During this period of major economic uncertainty, we expect that
many more households will be able to participate in the program for
the first time.
"We know there are many families who are not aware of the LIHEAP
program," said Joseph A. Forline,
PSE&G's vice president for customer operations. "LIHEAP
benefits are based on last month's income, so people who were not
qualified before might now be able to take advantage of these
essential benefits. We are partnering with state government and
community based organizations in an extensive effort to ensure that
much needed assistance reaches every eligible person."
New Jersey's LIHEAP program
ranks sixth in the nation in terms of dollars available to help
at-risk utility customers. LIHEAP income eligibility levels are at
200 percent of the federal poverty level. That means a family of
four with a monthly income at or below $3,675 may be eligible.
The chart below provides income eligibility information.
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LIHEAP
INCOME GUIDELINES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011
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Monthly Gross
Household Size
Income
1
$1,805
2
$2,429
3
$3,052
4
$3,675
5
$4,299
6
$4,922
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Monthly Gross
Household Size
Income
7
$5,545
8
$6,169
9
$6,792
10
$7,415
11
$7,532
12
$7,686
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To determine
eligibility for household sizes greater than 12,
add $154 for
each additional member.
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PSE&G customers can pick up an application at one of
PSE&G's 16 customer service centers. Locations and hours are
listed on customer bills. In addition, representatives from state
designated LIHEAP agencies are available at the following centers
to help income-eligible people complete the applications.
Bergen County
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Bergen County CAP at
PSE&G Hackensack Customer
Service Center
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214 Hudson Street, Hackensack,
NJ 07601
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Monday -Thursday, 9:00 a.m. –
4:00 p.m.
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Essex County
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La Casa de Don Pedro at
PSE&G Newark Customer
Service Center
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80 Park Plaza, Newark, NJ
07102
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Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00
p.m.
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La Casa de Don Pedro at
PSE&G West Orange Customer Service Center
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59 Main Street, West Orange, NJ
07052
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Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. –
4:00 p.m.
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Hudson County
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P.A.C.O. at PSE&G Jersey
City Customer Service Center
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3 PATH Plaza, Jersey City, NJ
07306
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Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00
p.m.
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Middlesex County
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Puerto Rican Action Board at
PSE&G New Brunswick Customer Service Center
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1 Penn Plaza, Albany &
French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
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Fridays, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00
p.m.
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PSE&G households may also be eligible for other valuable
assistance programs. Applications and information about these
programs are available on PSE&G's bilingual Web site
www.pseg.com/help or www.pseg.com/ayuda. Information can also be
found by calling the LIHEAP Hot Line at 1-800-510-3102 Monday
through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m.
Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is
New Jersey's oldest and largest
regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly
three-quarters of the state's population. PSE&G is the winner
of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system
reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise
Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG), a diversified energy company
(www.pseg.com).
Want to know what's new at PSEG? Go to
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SOURCE Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G)